Mark Richardson is co-chairman of Case Design/Remodel and Case Handyman Services. His new book, “How Fit Is Your Business?” will be published in October, 2008. mrichardson@casedesign.com; www.casedesign.com.
-
The Remodelers' Show is still three months off, but now is the time to start planning. The Remodelers' Show is a three-day event that gives you months of lasting value.
-
These days, it's difficult to feel gung ho about our business decisions. According to the Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies, the total was $214 billion in 2001.* Americans lack the time and, often, the skills to tackle home improvement projects themselves.
-
Handyman is a consumer term that to most homeowners suggests a diverse laundry list of maintenance items and repairs, "odd jobs" too insignificant to require a licensed contractor -- and too small to pay full-service prices for.Other vehicles, like lawn care or HVAC service contracts, lead in the...
-
Asked about the size of their client base, most remodelers aren't sure how to answer. Many would not call every prospect a client, but they would include a past customer for whom they are not likely to do another project for five or 10 years.
-
Here are five false positives about the remodeling business -- statements that sound good but may indicate hidden problems.More than likely, you were relying on referrals --taking orders, not marketing or selling your business.
-
The more you can discriminate between good and bad customers, the healthier your company will be. --Mark Richardson is president of Case Design/Remodeling, in Bethesda, Md. (301) 229-4600; mrichardson@casedesign.com.
-
With a good defense behind them, the offense can make pressure-free decisions and can even take some risk. They can concentrate on making the sale, knowing that production will back them up. The results of a first class production team will live well beyond the project completion.
-
Looking back on trends and changes over the past year, I find it difficult to separate what's going on in the larger world from the home remodeling industry. Mark Richardson is president of Case Design/Remodeling, Bethesda, Md., (301) 229-4600, mrichardson@casedesign.com.
-
Spending time on the production team and systems will get the results you want. --Mark Richardson is president of Case Design/Remodeling, Bethesda, Md. (301) 229-4600; mrichardson@casedesign.com.
-
By Mark Richardson. It may not be there today but, due to reasons beyond your control, it could pop up tomorrow, and you may find yourself liable for remediation and repair. --Mark Richardson is president of Case Design/Remodeling, Bethesda, Md., (301) 229-4600, mrichardson@casedesign.com.